Groups of police on foot chased youths through the neighborhood, with police firing tear gas, sound bombs and rubber bullets and youths throwing stones and some petrol bombs. On a stormy evening, the wind blew most of the gas away.

"You mercenaries, get out of the country, you dogs!" one old man shouted after a patrol that passed through the alleys. Shi'ites say the government uses foreign police hires, mainly from Pakistan, who they face in clashes.